Device Ban on Emirates Flights Amid Rising Tensions in Middle East

Dubai’s Emirates airline has introduced a ban on pagers and walkie-talkies onboard its flights, following a series of explosive attacks involving these devices in Lebanon last month. In a recent statement, Emirates announced that travelers on flights to, from, or passing through Dubai are no longer permitted to carry pagers or walkie-talkies in their checked or cabin baggage. “Any such items found in passenger luggage will be confiscated by Dubai Police,” the statement clarified.

This policy shift follows attacks in Lebanon, where multiple pagers and walkie-talkies reportedly exploded simultaneously, causing significant casualties and injuries. Lebanese officials have attributed the incident to Israel, with sources noting that explosive materials had been ingeniously embedded in lithium batteries, making detection extremely difficult. The attacks left at least 37 people dead, including children, and injured nearly 3,000 others, as reported by local authorities.

As the Middle East experiences heightened tensions, Emirates has responded by revising flight schedules and policies in the region. In its latest update, the airline announced that flights to and from Beirut are canceled through October 15, with a temporary suspension of Beirut-bound travelers transiting through Dubai. Emirates also confirmed the resumption of flights to Amman, Jordan, while flights to Iraq and Iran remain suspended.

Other airlines have implemented similar safety and schedule changes, particularly for flights to Beirut and other regional airports.